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2014 POSITION REVIEWS

The TE's: Fiedorowicz leads pack

Tue, Feb 11, 2014

By Phil Savage

Reese’s Senior Bowl Tight Ends

With the tight end position rising in prominence at the NFL level, teams are on the look for big, athletic prospects that can block on the end of the line in the run game and as a pass protector, threaten the field vertically with their speed and create mismatches underneath against linebacker or safety-type defenders. Here is a breakdown on each of the six TE’s that appeared in Mobile.

1. #87 C.J. Fiedorowicz/Iowa TE 6055/262 32 1-4” Arm/10 5-8” Hand

C.J. won the Alabama Power Most Outstanding Receiver for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday practices. He has excellent size with a proportioned body and is physical enough to continue developing as a blocker. He demonstrated more suddenness in and out of his cuts that will allow him to get separation when facing Man coverage. His hands are dependable and he provides a large catching radius for the QB. Expect to see C.J. get on the field as a rookie in two- and three-TE personnel groupings. He has the physical development and mental maturity to contribute in his first year.

1-on-1 PASS RECEIVING: Wins: 2 Losses: 2

1-on-1 PASS PROTECTION: Wins: 4 Losses: 4

SENIOR BOWL SCOOP: C.J. finished his Hawkeye career with 84 receptions for 830 yards (9.9avg) and 9 touchdowns and was named first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and 2nd team by the media.

NFL CAREER FORECAST: Potential Starter (within three seasons)

2. #88 Arthur Lynch/Georgia TE 6044/258 31” Arm/10 1-8” Hand

Arthur was very efficient during Senior Bowl week with his blocking and catching. At the line-of-scrimmage, he uses his size to engage and position block defenders while keeping a sound base. Although not blessed with exceptional quickness or speed to separate, he runs controlled routes and was a reliable target for the South QB’s. He caught the ball consistently in the practices and should find his way on to an NFL roster as a role-playing backup TE as a rookie.

1-on-1 PASS RECEIVING: Wins: 7 Losses: 2

1-on-1 PASS PROTECTION: Wins: 6 Losses: 2

SENIOR BOWL SCOOP: Arthur was a SuperPrep All-American at Dartmouth High School (MA) before signing with Georgia. He concluded his senior season as a Bulldog with 30 receptions for 459 yards (15.3avg) and 5 touchdowns.

Crockett was a Wednesday add-on to the North roster after playing in the East-West Shrine game the previous week. He has a rangy build, and after going through two practices, had a standout game on Senior Bowl Saturday with 5 receptions for 62 yards and a TD. Another zone-type route runner who can get open with leverage and length, he has the frame to add weight and should be able to make a roster as a contributing backup while he continues to develop physically.

1-on-1 PASS RECEIVING: Wins: 0 Losses: 3

1-on-1 PASS PROTECTION: Wins: 1 Losses: 1

SENIOR BOWL SCOOP: Crockett helped CSU go 8-6 with a New Mexico Bowl win over Washington State. He totaled 47 receptions for 577 yards (12.3avg) and 2 touchdowns, which earned him first team All-Mountain West Conference honors.

NFL CAREER FORECAST: Backup

Best of the Rest:

#86 Jacob Pedersen/Wisconsin TE 6031/242 31 1-8” Arm/9 1-4” Hand

Jacob was one of five Badgers at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and he performed in the expected, consistent manner of his regular season play. He provides some versatility as a potential H/FB as well.

#26 Gator Hoskins/Marshall H/FB 6011/244 32 5-8” Arm/9 7-8” Hand

Gator is primarily a pass-catching H-back candidate who has a feel for routes and getting himself open in space. He will need refinement to become an accomplished blocker in the pro game.

#85 Marcel Jensen/Fresno State TE 6053/264 34 1-4” Arm/10 1-8” Hand

Unfortunately, after the Monday weigh-in and first practice, Marcel was given a medical exclusion for the remainder of the week.

Phil Savage is the Executive Director of the Senior Bowl. He worked 20 years in the NFL as a coach, scout and executive, including two years as the Director of Player Personnel for the Baltimore Ravens and four years as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns.